Mathews: Our batting flopped again
A disappointed Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews blamed his team's batting for their loss in the third and deciding Test against India on Tuesday in Colombo.
The hosts slumped to a 117-run defeat at the Sinhalese Sports Club as India claimed their first away Test series victory since 2011.
Sri Lanka's batsmen really let them down, being bowled out for 201 in their first innings in reply to the visitors score of 312.
Then, after being set a an unlikely target of 386, they were bowled out for 268 in the final session on the last day as India celebrated their success.
Mathews said at the post-match presentation: "Disappointed (after losing the game), especially after winning a crucial toss and them batting in demanding conditions. Our batting flopped again.
"The bowlers did a good job throughout the match, but we weren't really up to the mark with the bat. We could have kept them under 300 in the first innings. The bowlers bowled pretty well, but India batted well.
"Our first innings batting was crucial, we needed to get close to 300. They bowled really well and are the deserved winners."
Latest
-
NewsNew Zealand stars Devon Conway and Martin Guptill move up in T20I Rankings
Stoinis, Southee, Santner and Sodhi among others to advance in men’s weekly update after first two matches of New Zealand-Australia series.
-
NewsEngland axing tough to take but it was ‘best option’, admits Dom Bess
Bess is set to return to the team for the fourth Test against India
-
NewsTom Banton tests positive for coronavirus at the Pakistan Super League
The England and Somerset batsman is isolating in Pakistan.
-
NewsVirat Kohli refuses to accept pitch is to blame for England’s two-day defeat
Kohli believes poor batting by both sides resulted in the game being over inside two days.
-
NewsJoe Root wants England to free themselves from fear in fourth Test against India
The tourists will be hoping to level the series at 2-2 when they start the final match in Ahmedabad.
-
NewsZak Crawley vows England will be more proactive in battle against India’s spin
Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel have run riot in helpful conditions.
-
NewsDale Steyn heaps praise on Pakistan trio, prefers PSL over IPL
Record South African fast bowler Dale Steyn is full of praise for Pakistan players Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Babar Azam.
-
NewsChris Gayle sets sights on third T20 World Cup title
West Indies veteran Chris Gayle has set his sights on winning a third T20 World Cup when he makes his return to international cricket.
-
NewsCricket in line to receive significant chunk of £300m sports recovery package
The England and Wales Cricket Board welcomed the support, describing it as “a lifeline for parts of the game”.